Geographical and environmental guest speaker for schools

School talks from an inspirational guest speaker

I
offer a range of
environmental
and geographical
talks for schools and colleges that help enhance subject
teaching, inspire, or provoke deeper thinking on an issue. They bring together ideas gleaned from a
wide range of experiences. I have been used often for enrichment days and can also provide an
assembly talk
which includes slides that also act as a taster for the talks later in the day. The talks are visually arresting, snappily paced and
aim to bring topics alive and make them relevant.

I love sharing all these great geographical stories. We live on a
fascinating planet and
there is so much to enthuse young geographers about, and inspire them to engage with
a subject that helps them understand the world.

Keeping costs down, and getting value for money

I can often visit a school while in the area for another
speaking engagement, thereby reducing travel expenses. My attitude when
booked by a school is that I should be used as much as
possible! I don't mind how early I start, or how late I finish. The King Edward VI school, for example, used me to
deliver talks throughout the school day on
Montserrat,
Iceland,
Pompeii,
climate change,
volcanoes, and
ocean floor research. Harrow School,
and the Royal Masonic School for Girls, used me to
deliver an abbreviated version of my Montserrat talk to four geography
classes as part of their curriculum studies, before giving a whole school
talk in the evening.

A selection of insightful geographical talks for schools

Antarctic environmental science has loomed large in my professional life.
Ozone depletion, climate change and plate tectonics have all given up secrets to scientists studying in
one of the harshest environments in the world. I explore
Antarctica with world class environmental
scientists and look at why it is so important to our understanding of the planet and what the future might hold.

Iceland is a fantastic natural laboratory where exciting earth processes can be observed. Using my experience as an Icelandic guide,
coupled with my geology background, I show what the country can teach us about modern plate tectonic and volcanic processes.

In 1995 I was catching bats and snakes on a conservation project when the volcano started erupting and evacuations were declared.
This talk gives insights into how science fieldwork is conducted (and the
difficulties and sampling strategies), the initial social impacts on the population, as well as looking at how
geographers assess volcanoes and produce hazard maps to help with the
evacuations that I witnessed. I also describe witnessing the first eruption and how I nearly died.

Sixteen years after I witnessed the first eruptions that turned the island upside down, I returned to see how the island has changed.
The people are still just as friendly but the airport and the capital are now destroyed and two thirds of the island is now an exclusion zone.
This has caused a huge upheaval
in life and society and in this talk I share my insights
into the impacts and adaptations.
(As featured on Radio 4's 'Excess Baggage' travel programme)

My first visit to Hawaii had me collecting molten lava from a lava lake draining into the sea. On my latest visit,
I explore all the
volcanic and geological features that make this such a geographically fascinating location. While unique, it also offers insights into wider
plate tectonic matters. It also faces vulnerability to other natural hazards, like tsunamis, and impacts and adaptations will be looked at.

Using my expertise as a guide to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius, I look at
why the area is so volcanically active, the impacts and
adaptations of past eruptions, and the plans for evacuating the most
volcanically dangerous area in the world when Vesuvius next
erupts. I use my knowledge of other volcanic areas to provide
additional insights.

There are lots of fascinating stories geology has to tell, whether it's setting the scene for our understanding of evolutionary
time or explaining why we have the rocks we do in Britain. This talk will enthuse pupils about the richness that can be gleaned
by looking at the geological landscape with an enquring mind. It features striking images from many of my travels.

I accompanied an expedition in the Pacific on the marine research ship JOIDES Resolution.
This is part of the international program that
started in 1968 to explore the seafloor. It has contributed to a greater understanding of plate tectonics and climate change. Come on board and learn what it's like to conduct
scientific research in one of the most difficult environments in the world.

A selection of environmental talks for schools

I tackle important issues in a topical and entertaining way, using my knowledge as a university
environmental lecturer with practical examples based on my travels.

My most popular environmental talk,
receiving rave reviews. It looks at how we satisfy our needs for energy, what goes wrong when we fail, sustainability, and what are the ethical and
moral dilemmas involved.

I have tutored on environmental issues for many years.
My climate change
talk examines impacts, measuring environmental change, and how evidence is collected and interpreted. The fascinating
detective work of proxy data gathering is also looked at.

Is there anywhere on Earth where one can be sure that one is experiencing nature
unaltered by our activities? If not, does it matter? In this talk I will explore the idea that nature is
no longer an unchanging, absolute entity that is larger than us and will always be there to sustain, console
and awe inspire us.

To what extent should jobs come before the environment e.g. threatened species?
Does a concern for the environment damage a national economy or enhance it?
This talk looks at how we place a value on the environment.

One of the most appreciated speakers for schools

"Many thanks for an exceptionally stimulating and enriching day. The talks were first class. I particularly enjoyed
being taken on the Antarctic and Montserrat journeys! See you back here in the future."

Kevin Richards, Head of Geography, Marlborough College

"David's visit to Balshaw's High School was invaluable to the Key Stage 4 pupils
he presented to on the subject of Montserrat. They were genuinely inspired by
his stories, insights and wide
ranging coverage of issues affecting the island as a result of the eruptions.
David's professionalism, wit
and in depth knowledge of his subject were appreciated by the pupils who were lucky enough to attend the
day talks, but also by members of the public who came to the evening lecture. A fantastic day, something
I would happily repeat every year!"

"David inspired our Year 8 and 9 pupils with his vivid account of life in the
bush in Botswana. Our pupils now know how to survive close encounters with elephants, hyenas and lions
and what a struggle it is for survival in an arid environment. This talk fitted in so perfectly with
the work the pupils are currently covering on sustainability and conservation issues.
David's account
of his experiences in his recent expedition to Antarctica in 2013 were shared so knowledgeably with our
A-level Geographers. The horrific smell of penguin guano, the ice carved landscapes and the evidence
for climate change gripped the student's imaginations. David then delivered a hugely thought provoking
lecture to the Sixth form on our energy future, a topic that is incredibly useful for physics,
economics, general studies and Geography students. The climax of the day was the evening lecture
to parents and pupils on the volcanic eruption on Montserrat . The audience was enthralled and
entertained by David's hilarious stories of tree frog and snake capture as he explained the
biodiversity work he was involved in when the volcano erupted. His account of the impacts of
the eruption and the responses to the disaster was truly memorable. David is a wonderful speaker
who manages to pitch the talk so cleverly to his audience so that every age group were thoroughly
engrossed. We very much hope that David will be able to revisit Westholme School in the future."

Caroline Buckley, Head of Geography, Westholme School

"I am writing to thank you once again for the
outstanding talk you gave here on The Grand Canyon. Many students
have commented on the lecture since last Tuesday - they clearly
found it as inspiring and exhilarating as I did. Your commentary
really brought home the uniqueness of the place. Your use of
anecdotes and humour was greatly appreciated by us all, and I
thought one of the most important features of the talk was the
invitation to consider the broader environmental issues."

John Allinson, Senior Master and Head of Sixth
Form, Leighton Park School

“David Edwards' lectures on Montserrat and Antarctica were thoroughly enjoyable and brought to
life both through fantastic photographs and film clips and his humorous and educational style. I would recommend
David without hesitation if you are looking to inspire your students about the world."

Dr Liz Brown, Chair of the York and District Branch of the Geographical Association and Head of Geography at Bootham School, York

“Many thanks for an excellent day of lectures at all levels. We very much appreciated your clear, good humoured and detailed presentations
and your conversation and stories.”

School discount

I have...

Collected molten lava * Been charged by an elephant *
Smuggled myself into an African country * Carried water in
the Kalahari Desert * Broken both legs mountain climbing and
self rescued * Survived volcanic eruptions * Worked as a
ranger in the Grand Canyon * Taught environmental science
courses * Caught snakes with my bare hands * Advised
hundreds of expeditions around the world

Volcano news

I returned to Montserrat to see how the island has adjusted to the
volcanic events I witnessed, and was interviewed on my return by Sandi Toksvig for Radio 4's 'Excess Baggage'
travel programme. Listen to part of it here

Stop Press

I am guiding a number of trips over the winter and
spring to Pompeii, Vesuvius and Iceland.

"Dave’s talk was absolutely excellent. I was really impressed with
how he constructed his talk in such an intelligent and thoughtful way. He structured
his material to hold the attention of his audience. He held back on arguably the most
exciting part of his journey and captivated his audience right to the end. The students
came from a range of backgrounds and experiences and all thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Deborah Gibbs, The John Lyon School

"Many thanks for coming down and giving your talks. The boys
found both very stimulating and I fielded many questions about them in the follow-up lessons.”

Richard O'Donoghue, Harrow School

“Many thanks for spending the day with us at Berkhamsted. Our students and visiting students and teachers very
much enjoyed your talks and learned a great deal. We hope to find an opportunity for you to visit again!”